By Rich Larson, News Director
The Northfield Hospital announced that, beginning today, there will be no visitors allowed in the hospital. NH&C Director of Communications Betsy Spethmann said this was due to the rise in positive cases in both Rice and Dakota Counties.
Under the new regulations:
- There are no visitors allowed in the medical and surgical units, with exceptions for pediatric patients who can have one parent or guardian with them, and patients with dementia, who can each have one support person. A compassionate exemption may be made for at patient at the end of life.
- There are no visitors allowed in the emergency department, with the same exemptions for children and patients with dementia.
- There are no visitors allowed in the Cancer Care & Infusion Center. A compassionate exemption may be made here for patients with a new diagnosis or at the end of life.
- Birth Center patients may have one adult support person with them. It must be the same person for the full stay.
The Northfield Clinic is largely under the same restrictions. Pediatric patients may have one parent or guardian with them, and patients with dementia may have one support person with them. Pregnant patients may have one support person with them for the first OB appointment and for all subsequent ultrasound appointments.
Last week, Northfield Hospital & Clinic had tightened restrictions on visitors in the hospital and the clinic, including the evaluation of elective surgeries. But the new regulations are a stronger step.
In a statement, NH&C President Steve Underdahl said, “This precaution is more crucial now that at any time since the pandemic began.”
“As COVID cases rise rapidly across the community, we must take precautions to protect the health environment of the hospital,” he said,” and the health of our staff by limiting exposure to people who don’t need to be in the hospital or clinic for their own care.”
All parents, guardians and support persons must be symptom free and will be screened upon entry, including temperature.
City Council meets tonight with heavy agenda
The Northfield City Council will meet tonight with several items of note on the agenda.
The council will receive a presentation on the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan. While this is still merely a draft of a plan, it has already become something of a controversial topic. Members of the Defeat of Jesse James Days planning committee have said that, as the plan stands right now, it could potentially throw off several of the traditional events during the celebration, including the carnival and the rodeo.
The second reading on ordinances to attach franchise fees to electric and gas services is a highlight on the agenda. Last week, the council voted in favor of the ordinances 4-3. Should the vote pass again, the ordinances will go into effect in March.
The Council will also consider a resolution to adopt a land acknowledgement statement. This is based on a recommendation from the Human Rights Commission, honoring the indigenous people of the area. At least two councilors expect considerable discussion on this topic.
And finally, the Council will discuss the proposed 2021-22 budget and tax levy. This item was originally on the agenda for last week’s meeting but was moved to tonight. The council is looking at two different levy increases, one at 3.7% and one at 5.7%. The 3.7% increase would be a net loss for the tax rate.
St. Olaf seeks conditional use permit
And the Northfield Planning Commission announced it will hold a public hearing regarding the Conditional Use Permit for the St. Olaf Avenue Student Housing Project at St. Olaf College.
The school’s plan is to construct will a new, 300 bed residence hall, townhouse style residences with 140 beds and 200 new parking stalls, along with greenspace and other improvements, on the site currently occupied by Student Honor Houses, and until recently, the college president’s home.
The hearing will be held electronically. Public comments relating to the CUP and Rezoning request are welcome. Alternate methods for public input rather than in person participation at the meeting include:
- Sending an email no later than 12:00 PM the day of the meeting to Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner, mikayla.schmidt@ci.northfield.mn.us noting, “Public Hearing Comment” in the subject line and type your comment in the body of the email or attach a document if necessary.
- Calling Mikayla Schmidt at 507-645-3059, no later than 12:00 PM the day of the meeting with input.
- Sending a letter containing your input to: Community Development, Mikayla Schmidt, City of Northfield, 801 Washington St., Northfield, MN 55057
Those who wish to monitor the meeting may do so on the City’s meetings page at https://northfield.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, or by dialing a conference number (United States: tel: 1-571-317-3122) and entering a conference code (Access Code: 945-160-525). Members of the public monitoring the meeting will be asked to mute their phones.
